SHRHS Newsletter

Dear Shepherd Hill Learning Community:

During the holiday season, I am especially grateful for the support of the volunteer organizations whose efforts enhance the student experience every day. We are incredibly fortunate to partner with several service-minded groups, including the Dudley-Charlton Education Foundation, which has awarded educators a number of grants in recent years. Through supplemental funding and volunteerism, the Shepherd Hill Music Parents Association helps to maintain the standing of our award-winning music programs. The Shepherd Hill Boosters, through the sale of concessions and merchandise, also provide funding for special projects and learning experiences. After having served in other school districts, I can state from experience that this level of generosity is unique to the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District!

In addition, our school also benefits from the generosity of parents, families, and community members who volunteer their time in support of other, various causes. Although the winter season is upon us, the construction of a new batting cage is underway on our campus, adjacent to the tennis courts. This project has literally been years in the making, thanks to the efforts of a dedicated group of individuals who have fundraised and secured donations. In March, the Dudley-Charlton Regional School Committee voted unanimously to accept the funds raised toward the purchase and construction of a new batting cage.

In recognition of these efforts, I want to thank Mr. Mike Daley, Mr. Darin Haig, Mr. Derek Leal, Mr. Tom Hargrave, Mr. Mike Manske, Mr. Jon Synder, Mr. Bob Lane, and Mr. Edward Ramsey. Additionally, I want to thank Blushing Bee Naturals, the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, and Santos Fence Company, as well as our talented maintenance staff. To all who contributed – THANK YOU! Our baseball and softball teams look forward to utilizing the new apparatus in the spring!

Last month, I shared that the faculty is currently engaged in a comprehensive self-study in preparation for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) decennial accreditation visit. One component of NEASC is the school’s vision of the graduate. Per NEASC: "The school has a vision of the graduate that includes the attainment of transferrable skills, knowledge, understandings and dispositions necessary for future success and provides feedback to learners and parents on each learner’s progress in achieving this vision." A committee has been formed to revisit Shepherd Hill’s vision of the graduate and graduation requirements, and there are still spaces available for parents and community members. Outcomes of the committee will include recommendations to administration, the School Council, and School Committee regarding Shepherd Hill’s graduation requirements. To express interest, please click here.

On December 11th, at 5:00 p.m., an Academic Program Showcase will be held specifically for Charlton Middle and Dudley Middle School grade eight students and families. We look forward to highlighting our robust academic programs, and representatives of our dedicated staff will be present to answer questions regarding Shepherd Hill’s commitment to college and career readiness.

I encourage you to embrace the holiday spirit and attend our annual Holiday Spectacular and Winter Concert this month; you will not be disappointed! On behalf of the faculty and staff, please accept my best wishes for a happy, healthy holiday vacation! We look forward to a positive, productive 2025!

Sincerely,

Mr. Elwell

Anthony Avoglia attended the conference for the MA Association of Student Representatives in November. Thank you for representing us so well Anthony!

On Tuesday, October 29 the National Honor Society hosted our annual Haunting on the Hill event for the community. Themes for the cars ranged from Inside Out to Alvin and the Chipmunks to Mad Scientists to Christmas and more! Check out our pictures below. Congrats to our "best costume" winners - The Carnival, featuring Lily Connole, Ava Hanson and Kat LeBlanc. We were able to raise over $500 and an entire bin of non-perishable items for our Thanksgiving Food Drive thanks to generous donations from the community members who came to the event. See you next year!

On Friday, November 15 the officers of the National Honor Society attended the MSAA State Conference for NHS at the College of the Holy Cross. Student officers are Timothy Krysinski (President), Donovan Ennis (Vice President), Lily Durda (Secretary) and Rosalie Knowlton (Treasurer). They attended sessions led by local companies and nonprofits and learned from other NHS chapters in the state of Massachusetts. They are pictured here with some of their favorite presenters from the day and their new friends from Chelmsford High School's NHS chapter. These student-leaders are looking forward to presenting their own workshop at the Spring MSAA State Conference.

On Tuesday, November 26 the National Honor Society delivered meals for our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. This year we will sent meals to 56 families in the Dudley-Charlton school community, helping to feed over 325 people for the holiday. We want to thank the community members and the Shepherd Hill staff and students who have donated to make this huge event possible. Additionally, we want to thank Jen Desto and Rachael Shelburne for their efforts collecting non-perishables for the Food Drive at Mason Road School. We couldn't have done this without all of you! We wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season from the NHS.

Our Biomedical Innovation Pathway students recently had the opportunity to visit Western New England University for an immersive field trip. During their visit, students participated in hands-on activities that brought their classroom learning to life.

In the pharmacology lab, they compounded their own hand sanitizer in a mock lab environment, gaining insight into real-world pharmaceutical practices. They then attended an interactive neuroscience lecture, which sparked lively discussions. Students then visited the Occupational Therapy Lab where they created stress balls while learning about occupational therapy. The day also included a guided tour of the campus, where students got a glimpse of college life and the state-of-the-art facilities. Of course, no visit would be complete without a stop at the dining hall—an experience many agreed was one of the highlights!

This trip not only provided a deeper understanding of biomedical careers but also inspired students to think about their future educational paths. Thank you to Western New England University for an unforgettable experience!

Best Buddies will be meeting every month!

Reach out to Mrs. Ayotte to join.

Last Monday, 31 art and photo (junior and senior) students visited Quinsigamond Community College and learned about their various programs. There is a picture attached.

They did the following:

This past month, our students took part in two social-recreational collaboration opportunities with students from similar postgraduate programs in our area. We first met with the students from Auburn and Webster to go bowling at Bayberry Bowling. We also enjoyed a pizza lunch afterwards. On November 15, we met with both Leicester and Webster postgraduate students at Scoops of Hope in Southbridge. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends and practice our social-communication skills. Next month we are taking part in another postgraduate collaboration for a winter paint activity. We can't wait!

The Shepherd Hill Choirs will be presenting the annual Holiday Spectacular on Friday December 13th at 7pm, and Saturday December 14th at 2pm this year. Join in the 40th Anniversary of Show Choir at Shepherd Hill, Guest Alumni soloists and Readers, a staff and parent number, combined Dudley and Charlton 8th grade choirs, guest performances by Auburn's rock voices and of course a visit from the big man himself, Santa Claus. Tickets can be purchased at ticketleap.com/shepherdhill. If you use a computer you will be able to pick your own seats.

Community College is Now Free in Massachusetts!

No matter your age or income: community college is now free in Massachusetts!

The MassEducate and MassReconnect programs allow all Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree to attend a Massachusetts community college for free.

No tuition. No fees. And both programs include an allowance for books and supplies for certain students.

To be eligible for MassEducate or MassReconnect, you must:

· Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

· If you are not eligible to complete the FAFSA and are an approved “High School Completer” under the Massachusetts tuition equity law, you can complete the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA) and still attend for free.

· Apply to your local community college and enroll in an approved program of study. Applications are open all year long and there’s never an application fee.

· Have physically resided in Massachusetts for at least one year, as of the start of your first enrolled term.

· Have earned a high school diploma or the equivalent**

· Are enrolled in at least six credits (usually two classes) per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate.

· Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the college’s requirements.

https://masscc.org/masseducate/

CLASS CODE: 7whqbzf

Hard copy information on all scholarships is available in the Guidance Office.

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires that all schools receiving federal funds must provide the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of secondary students to military recruiters and institutions of higher education. The act also requires that military recruiters be given the same access to students that is given to recruiters for post secondary institutions and employers. If a parent objects to releasing this information he/she should notify the guidance office.

Purchase a Yearbook

Yearbook Website

2025 Senior Information

Senior Portrait Submission Form due 12/6

Senior Ad Website due 2/14

Questions? E-mail Ms. Sullivan

at ShepherdHillYearbook@dcrsd.org

Our Awesome Unified Basketball Team

The Shepherd Hill Field Hockey team welcomed middle school students from Charlton, Dudley and Oxford for a fundamental skills clinic on 11/6. Varsity players taught basic field hockey skills to all athletes through multiple stations and ended the clinic with a full field scrimmage. We had great weather and an awesome turnout to help promote the sport to younger athletes.

The Shepherd Hill Varsity Cheerleaders have proven once again why they are among the best in Massachusetts! Out of 75 Division 1 high school cheerleading teams, only 15 advanced to the State Finals—and our incredible team made the cut.

On November 24th, the Varsity team took the floor at the Massachusetts State Championship, facing off against the top cheerleading teams in the state. They delivered their best performance of the season, showcasing their skill, dedication, and team spirit. The result? An outstanding 6th place finish, solidifying their place among the elite programs in Massachusetts.

We couldn’t be prouder of these hardworking and talented athletes. Their success is a testament to their unwavering determination, countless hours of practice, and the passion they bring to every routine. The entire Shepherd Hill community celebrates this remarkable achievement—congratulations to our Varsity Cheerleaders!

Let’s hear it for the ladies who make Shepherd Hill proud, both on and off the mat. Go Rams!

The school hours for Shepherd Hill Regional High School are 7:40am-2:10pm. Students entering the building after 7:40am must check into the main office to receive a tardy pass to proceed to class.

To obtain an early dismissal please bring a written request from your parent or caregiver to the main office as soon as you arrive at school. The request will be reviewed and an early dismissal slip will be issued if warranted. If returning from a dismissal, students should check in to the main office to have their attendance record updated.

Students must be in school prior to or after 11:00 a.m. for the day to count for participation in school activities.

It is very important to follow this procedure whenever possible. Phone calls to classrooms for dismissals are very disruptive to the educational process. Advance notice of the dismissal with a note helps alleviate those disruptions. We appreciate your assistance!

Thank you! Mrs. Champagne and Mrs. Jalbert

SHRHS Main Office

The office will issue a bus pass for a student to ride a bus not assigned to them in emergency situations only. A parent/caregiver must call the main office at 508-943-6700 to explain the circumstances and request a bus pass for their student.

A bus pass will not be issued for social reasons.

Our community and school take pride in the appearance that our students present. We expect that all students will dress and groom themselves neatly in clothes that are suitable for school activities. Students that dress in an inappropriate manner will be required to change into proper attire; the second offense will result in a detention and parent will be notified.

Class of 2025

Ms. Amanda Holton aholton@dcrsd.org & Mr. Daniel Duffy dduffy@dcrsd.org

Class of 2026 & Class of 2027

Ms. Sarah Armstrong sarmstrong@dcrsd.org & Ms. Jennifer McGrail jmcgrail@dcrsd.org

Class of 2028

Ms. Shannon Sullivan ssullivan2@dcrsd.org & Ms. Jennifer Kustar jkustar@dcrsd.org

Please email class advisors for questions pertaining to class dues, class activities, etc.

A student should stay at home:

• If they have a fever of 100 degrees F or greater (Must be fever free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school)

• If vomiting and or diarrhea has occurred in the last 24 hours

The Shepherd Hill Attendance Guideline designates six (6) unexcused class absences per subject, per semester (each 1/2 year) as the maximum allowed for normal circumstances of regular school attendance. The allowed number of days for absence is designed to accommodate:

· Personal illness

· Religious holidays

· Serious personal or family problems

· Professional appointments that could not be scheduled outside the regular school day

A reminder to parents and caregivers: Students should not be using their cell phone to contact parents if they are not feeling well. Our Health Center is staffed with a full time nurse who will meet with and assess students who are not feeling well. The Nursing Office will reach out to parents/caregivers if students who are ill need to be dismissed.

Thank you! Nurse Lombardo hlombardo@dcrsd.org

The Booster Club always welcomes new volunteers and new Junior Boosters (students). There are scholarship opportunities for those students who volunteer and meet the required hours.

President Scott Henault

Vice President Beth paradis

Treasurer Jim McGonagle

Assistant Treasurer Cady Maynard

Recording Secretary Michele McCarthy

Correspondence Secretary Michele McCarthy

First Member at Large Becky Faford

Second Member at Large Heather Gelardi

Email: rjalbert@dcrsd.org